Zero Needle for machine knitting

Animated GIF showing a knitting machine needlebed number strip shifting, demonstrating why knitters should mark the true zero point.

Zero Needle

Bind off needles 1-10 left of Zero

The “zero needle” is not a needle. It's the reference point at the very center of your knitting machine’s needle bed. It’s essential for aligning patterns, centering your work, and coordinating with a ribber.

It's often referred to in knitting instruction as "10-1 left" of Zero or "1-10 right of zero"

Zero on the needlebed

Needlebed zero marking
Mark the true zero point on your needlebed — don’t rely on the shifting number strip.